MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the first time, Bloomington-based JNBA Financial Advisors has been named to Barron’s list of the 1,000 top advisors in the country. In the magazine’s state-by-state rankings released on February 22, Richard Brown, CEO of the independent, 30-year-old firm, was ranked fourth in Minnesota.

JNBA has twice been named one of the nation’s top-100 independent wealth advisors by Barron’s and the Winner’s Circle,* but never to the overall top-1,000 list. According to Brown, the fact that JNBA and other independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) made this year’s list alongside traditional brokerage houses indicates a shift toward a new wealth-management model. “Over the past few years, it’s been more and more apparent that investors are demanding independence and transparency from their wealth advisory firms,” says Brown. “Based on recent industry information we believe JNBA made this year’s list because more investors are making sure that their wealth advisor is sitting on the same side of the table as they are, and providing counsel without an agenda.”

The shift toward independent advice is reinforced by TD Ameritrade’s most recent RIA Sentiment survey, which reports that investors continue to choose independent advisors over full-commission brokers. those surveyed with total client numbers up reported that nearly 72 percent of net new client assets were attributed to coming from full-commission brokers. JNBA also saw an influx of new assets. In 2009, during one of the most turbulent and difficult economic periods in U.S. history, JNBA increased new client assets 99.6% compared to 2007, a year when the stock market hit a record high.

The Feb. 22, 2010, issue of Barron’s also cited the top advisors’ high client-retention rate as one important measure of their collective success. JNBA consistently posts an above 96-percent client-retention rate. “One of the most important gauges of our success is how our clients feel about the job we’re doing for them,” says Brown. “And that’s been reflected by the feedback we’re receiving from our clients, as well as our company’s growth.”

Judith Brown founded JNBA in 1979, and was a pioneer in offering fee-based, client-focused financial advice. Today, her son Richard and daughter-in-law Kim continue Judith’s vision, concentrating on building the company’s client-focused reputation and maintaining the independent, community-focused outlook that JNBA was founded upon. since Richard joined JNBA in 1997, the company has tripled in assets under management.

ABOUT JNBA

Bloomington-based JNBA Financial Advisors, Inc., is an independent fee-based wealth management firm specializing in goal-directed asset management and financial planning. their advisory teams provide advice on future financial direction as well as current financial issues. for more information, visit www.jnba.com.

*As rated by the Winner’s Circle and Barron’s in the August 27, 2007, and August 18, 2008, issues. Rankings and/or recognition by publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if JNBA is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of JNBA by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. a copy of JNBA’s current written disclosure statement discussing advisory services and fees is available upon request.

Independent JNBA Financial Advisors Named to Barron’s List of 1,000 Top Advisors